As of October 1, 2017, Venezuelans traveling to Panama will need a stamped visa in order to enter the country.
From a statement issued by the Presidency of Panama:
August 22, 2017.The President of the Republic, Juan Carlos Varela, announced today that fromOctober1,Venezuelans traveling to Panama will need a stamped visa in order to enter the national territory.
The Varela administration is assessing the possibility of making the requirements to grant tourist visas to Chinese citizens more flexible, in order to attract tourism and investments from the Asian country.
The possibility was raised by representatives of the Panamanian government to their Asian counterparts on an official tour that is taking place in China.
The timeframe for tourist visas has been reduced to 90 days and the period of validity for temporary cards for those seeking temporary or permanent residence reduced from 12 to 6 months.
From Decree 590 of the Executive Branch, published in La Gaceta:
"...Article 16.Immigration authorities at the National Immigration Servicewill issue tourist visas valid for a period notexceeding ninety (90) days, if foreigners comply with the requirements of this regulation without prejudicing what is established in international agreements ratified by the Republic of Panama and the principles of reciprocity."
In the first five months of the year the country received 215,581 cruise tourists, who generated $27 million in revenue.
The Panama Tourism Authority notes that in the first five months of the year, "... an average of 45,000 monthly cruise passengers disembarked at the port at the edge of the city of Colon and in the port in Amador on the Pacific entrance to the Canal. "
As the nation with the greatest potential visitors, the U.S. has chosen Costa Rica as the site of an Advisory Council to promote the northern country as a tourist destination throughout Central America.
After receiving complaints about the amount of paperwork that has to be filled out and visa requirements needed in order to visit the country for tourism as well as the slow speed of processing, the government has decided to implement the Brand USA Act, to streamline procedures and facilitate the promotion of the country as a tourist destination.
As of June 13, Panama will eliminate the visa requirement for citizens of Ecuador.
The presidents of both countries, and Rafael Correa and Ricardo Martinelli, signed the agreement on Friday May 13. The leaders pledged to strengthen bilateral relations.
According to an article on the El Universal’s website: "They also instructed their officials to "submit proposals for bilateral cooperation" against drug trafficking and related crimes such as transnational organized crime.
Authorities have decided not to require travel visas from Colombian citizens entering the country.
The announcement was made by vice president Juan Carlos Varela, who added that they will introduce more border controls in order to fight some Colombian criminal gangs.
“We will impose stricter controls at Tocumen International Airport, to prevent gangs from operating in our country”, he said.
For the rest of the world, we are becoming better known as Central America rather than different countries, specially in the tourism industry.
Andrés Oppenheimer compared the integration process of the European Union, and the "disintegration" process of Latin America. In his analysis, he highlights the importance of tourism visas, a very important topic in Central America, a region betting on an "industry without chimneys" as its main development vector.
It won't request visas for travelers with U.S., Australian, Canadian, U.K. or E.U. visas.
Ernesto Orillac, from the Tourism Authority (ATP), reported that said citizens must purchase a $30 tourism card before entering the country.
Newspaper prensa.com published extracts from ATP's communique: "...these countries comply with rigorous migration controls, with high levels of security and reliability...".
Russia and Nicaragua signed a reciprocal visa-free agreement.
The agreement was signed as part of the visit by Igor Sechin, Russia's Deputy Prime Minister.
"Nicaragua's Foreign Relations ministry reported in a press release that the agreement was signed by Igor Sechin and Nicaraguan Chancellor Samuel Santos", reported Prensa.com.
Citizens of restricted visa nationalities, but holders of Canadian, US, EU or Australian visas will be able to enter the country with a tourist status.
An authorized visa had to be obtained before, a process that could last up to 6 months, as it required approval of the Public Safety and National Defense Council.
From Prensa.com: "President Martinelli approved this in his third Minister Cabinet council...Those interested will request their tourism visa at the closest accredited Panamanian consulate, with a minimum of 48 hours prior to the date of entry into national territory".
TACA airlines reports that, as of May 30, travelers making connections in Mexico will need to show a visa at the airport.
Under new Customs rules that came into force on the same day, luggage has to be picked up from carrousels and checked through Mexican Customs before being loaded on a connecting flight.
Mexico's government has advised Panamanian authorities that the agreement to drop visa requirements for Panamanians visiting Mexico as tourists, businessmen, or in transit has gone into effect, as of yesterday.
"This is good news for Panamanians," said Foreign Minister Samuel Lewis Navarro. He recalled that Mexican President Felipe Calderón promised to make the change during his recent visit to Panama.
Complete information services, data from the regions to visit, sites and a guide to plan a trip. Official site of the Panama Tourist Bureau.
The Republic of Panama is located in the center of the Western Hemisphere under the following coordinates: 7º12’07" and 9º38’46" North, 77º09’24" and 83º03’07" West. Its Borders are: to the North, the Caribbean Sea; to the East, the Republic of Colombia; to the South with the Pacific Ocean and to the West with the Republic of Costa Rica.
Complete information services, data from the regions to visit, sites and a guide to plan a trip. Official site of the Panama Tourist Bureau.
The Republic of Panama is located in the center of the Western Hemisphere under the following coordinates: 7º12’07" and 9º38’46" North, 77º09’24" and 83º03’07" West. Its Borders are: to the North, the Caribbean Sea; to the East, the Republic of Colombia; to the South with the Pacific Ocean and to the West with the Republic of Costa Rica.